Combining antibody domain, NA-targeting drug makes for broad-spectrum antibody
The ability of influenza virus to rapidly undergo antigenic shift to evade immunity raises the need for effective influenza antivirals with a broad spectrum. In a recent Nature Microbiology article, Cidara Therapeutics Inc. provided preclinical data for their drug-Fc conjugate compound CD-388, which has the potential to be a robust therapeutic option for the universal prevention of both seasonal and pandemic influenza.

Combining antibody domain, NA-targeting drug makes for broad-spectrum antibody
The ability of influenza virus to rapidly undergo antigenic shift to evade immunity raises the need for effective influenza antivirals with a broad spectrum. In a recent Nature Microbiology article, Cidara Therapeutics Inc. provided preclinical data for their drug-Fc conjugate compound CD-388, which has the potential to be a robust therapeutic option for the universal prevention of both seasonal and pandemic influenza.
PNO1 drives ovarian cancer progression through AKT/Wnt/β-catenin axis
The aberrant expression of partner of NOB1 homolog (PNO1) is known to promote oncogenesis in the colorectum and the esophagus, but its involvement in ovarian cancer and the mechanisms behind it are not well known. Chinese researchers investigated the role of PNO1 in ovarian cancer development and progression in the preclinical setting.
Institut Pasteur advances Lassa fever vaccine based on new MOPEVAC platform
An Institut Pasteur team has developed an original vaccine platform known as MOPEVAC, that will strengthen the organization’s pandemic preparedness initiatives, with the platform’s first vaccine candidate, which targets Lassa fever, set to enter the clinic.
Prelude Therapeutics reports preclinical profile of first-in-human SMARCA2 degrader
Prelude Therapeutics Inc. described the discovery of PRT-3789, a first-in-human, highly potent and selective SMARCA2-targeted protein degrader, for the potential treatment of cancer.
Repare Therapeutics details discovery of PLK4 inhibitor RP-1664
The synthesis of RP-1664, a highly potent, selective and bioavailable PLK4 inhibitor for the potential treatment of cancer, was recently reported by Repare Therapeutics Inc.
Navigo Proteins and SCK CEN collaborate to advance next-generation radiotheranostics
Navigo Proteins GmbH has established a strategic research collaboration with SCK CEN, the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, to advance the preclinical development of next-generation radiotheranostics using the Auger-electron emitting radioisotope Terbium (161Tb).
Arrepath patents new LpxH inhibitors for gram-negative bacterial infections
Arrepath Inc. has disclosed UDP-2,3-diacylglucosamine hydrolase (LpxH; bacterial) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections.

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Conferences

FAP inhibitor AZD-2389 is a strong candidate for MASH treatment
Endocrine/metabolic
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a serine protease, the expression of which increases with pathogenic fibroblasts in the fibrotic liver during metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and might induce fibrosis by cleaving several proteins that regulate extracellular matrix...
BMS-986458, a CRBN-mediated LDD targeting BCL6 for B-cell NHL treatment
Cancer
At last week’s American Chemical Society Spring meeting, Bristol Myers Squibb Co. discussed the development of a potent, orally bioavailable and highly selective cereblon (CRBN)-mediated ligand-directed degrader (LDD) of B-cell lymphoma 6 protein (BCL6), BMS-986458, for the treatment of B-cell...
Dissecting the role of neural circuits in mental health
Genetic/congenital
In the brain, molecular information is transmitted between cells through neural circuits. Synapses establish connections between the pathways that run from one area to another, allowing the most complex organ in the body to fulfill different functions. Cells and neural circuits are the basic...
Dock7-mutant zebrafish show disrupted skeletal muscle myofiber structure and reduced locomotion
Genetic/congenital
Previous studies have shown that protein expression of DOCK7 is increased in skeletal muscle biopsies from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), leading researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and affiliated organizations to assess the functional impact of DOCK7 on...

Cancer

Silexion plans dual-route strategy for SIL-204 for KRAS-driven pancreatic cancer
RNAi
Silexion Therapeutics Corp. has announced an expanded development plan for its next-generation siRNA candidate SIL-204. The new dual-route strategy will integrate intratumoral and systemic administration to target both primary tumors and metastases, respectively, to treat KRAS-driven pancreatic...

Infection

Arietis, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital report dual action antibiotics in patent
Patents
rietis Corp. and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Inc. have jointly patented compounds acting as caseinolytic protease P (ClpP) (bacterial) activators and RNA polymerase (bacterial) inhibitors and their conjugates with rifamycin analogues reported to be useful for the treatment of...

Decoy Therapeutics’ antiviral candidates show broad activity against multiple viruses
Decoy Therapeutics Inc. has announced that a series of antiviral drug candidates previously designed by its Imp3act platform to be broadly effective against viruses of the paramyxoviridae family have also shown promising in silico activity against measles and Nipah viruses. The candidates were...
AMA1-targeting antibodies provide multi-strain malaria protection
Monoclonal antibody
Writing in Cell Reports, researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and collaborators have presented a multifaceted analysis and structure-function study of a panel of human monoclonal antibodies (hmAbs) targeting AMA1 elicited by natural Plasmodium falciparum...

Neurology/psychiatric

Ono and Reborna partner to discover RNA-targeting small molecules for neurological disorders
Drug design, drug delivery and technologies
Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has entered into a drug discovery collaboration agreement with Reborna Biosciences Inc. to generate RNA-targeting novel small molecules in the field of the central nervous system.
AL-001 enhances brain-specific lithium delivery, minimizes systemic exposure in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease
Conferences
Alzamend Neuro Inc. recently presented pharmacokinetic data for the lithium-based sparing therapy AL-001, a lithium salicylate/L-proline co-crystal, in 5XFAD mice, a murine model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
CLS-189, a potential best-in-class HPGDS inhibitor for the treatment of DMD
Conferences
Researchers from the University of Queensland recently provided details on the discovery and preclinical characterization of a new hematopoietic prostaglandin D2 synthase (HPGDS) inhibitor, CLS-189, being developed for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
Rare genetic variants in HECTD2 tied to bipolar disorder
Biomarkers
A variant burden analysis for bipolar disorder was performed using gene-based aggregation of loss-of-function variants in whole-genome sequencing data from Iceland and the UK Biobank; the association between bipolar disorder and the burden of loss-of-function variants was tested in 13,786 genes.
AM-6545 enhances cognitive function in mice
The endocannabinoid system is an endogenous neuromodulatory system that is highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral tissues and is known to play an important role in modulating learning and memory processes, where the cannabinoid CB1 receptor is the most widely expressed...

Endocrine/metabolic

Novo Nordisk licenses Lexicon’s preclinical obesity drug in $1B deal
Deals and M&A
As companies continually search for next-generation obesity prospects, one of the leaders in the disease space, Novo Nordisk A/S, has obtained an exclusive license to a preclinical-stage, first-in-class, small-molecule inhibitor of Acyl-CoA synthetase 5 (ACSL5) developed by Lexicon Pharmaceuticals...

Biomarkers

PRTFDC1 expression predicts prognosis, drug response of testicular germ cell tumors
Cancer
Researchers from Guangdong Medical University published data from a study that aimed to identify novel biomarkers that would allow for comprehensive assessment of prognosis and immunotherapy response in patients with testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT).

Increased HKDC1 and phosphorylated RBBP5 emerge as potential targets and prognostic markers in HCC
Cancer
Metabolic reprogramming in cancer involves glycolytic enzymes acquiring noncanonical functions and acting as protein kinases, which contribute to tumor progression and present new therapeutic opportunities. While hexokinase domain-containing protein 1 (HKDC1), a hexokinase family member, has been...
DACH1 variant linked to new neurodevelopmental syndrome
Conferences
Branchio-Oto-Renal syndrome 1 (BOR1) is caused by pathogenic variants in the EYA1 gene, and the gene behind the pathogenesis of BOR2 is SIX5. Growing evidence exists regarding GATA and PAX-SIX-EYA-DACH transcriptional networks playing a key role in normal development. A case report of a patient...

Gastrointestinal

ABHD17B identified as a target in liver fibrosis
RNAi
Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital have revealed how chronic liver injury alters hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), triggering the formation of fibrotic scarring in the liver. The researchers have shown that this cell type...
Unlocking early genetic drivers of stomach cancer
Cancer
Research published online in Nature on March 19, 2025, closely examines the changes occurring in the gastric epithelium during the progression toward cancer development. Certain mutations that occur in normal, nonreproductive cells over time can...
ICB treatment induces colitis-related indicators in DSS drinking mouse model
Conferences
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences detailed the creation of a new dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-based mouse model of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy-associated colitis.
Domain Therapeutics nominates biased antagonist of PAR2 as drug candidate for inflammatory diseases
Dermatologic
Domain Therapeutics SA has nominated PAR2 antagonist DT-9046 as a drug candidate with potential to treat various inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis, as well as neuroinflammatory conditions...
Hepatic stellate cells shape and control liver function
Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) and their collaborators have cast new light on the mechanisms by which hepatic stellate cells control liver metabolism and regeneration. The work builds on...
NWD1 gene knockout tied to MASH-like phenotype in mice
Endocrine/metabolic
The Ca2+ stored in the cellular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a crucial role in protein folding and lipid transfer, and its impairment leads to cellular ER stress. When chronic cellular ER stress occurs in the liver, it triggers the...

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